Effects of Aqueous Extract of Cymbopogon Citratus Leaves on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in Wistar Albino Rats

Physical activity induces oxidative stress which causes fatigue which can be acute or chronic in athletes, responsible for a reduction in physical performance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus and its effects on the lipid profile in albino rats of the Wistar strain subjected to forced swimming.   Twenty (25) male rats were fed a standard laboratory ration and divided into 5 batches of 5 rats, then subjected to a 14-day treatment with distilled water, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg of extract and swam every 2 days. On the 14th day, the rats except the control groups were subjected to the forced swimming test with a load of 10% of body weight attached to the tail. The results showed that Cymbopogon citratus reduces the DPPH radical and prevents tissue lipid peroxidation, dose dependent by decreasing Malondialdehyde level (p ˂ 0.001) in liver, lung and gastrocnemius muscle, increases dose dependent cellular concentrations of reduced Glutathione in liver (p ˂ 0.05) and studentthe specific activity of Superoxide dismutase in the lungs (p < 0.001). C. citratus reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (p ˂ 0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (p ˂ 0.01).  C.citratus fights against oxidative stress induced by physical activity in rats. It would be interesting to test its action on other rat strains and endurance models.